Stopper



July 6, 1926. 1,591,654

v H. F. BUSCH STOPPER Filed Nov. 16, 1923 INVENTOR Patented July 6, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN F. BUSCH, 0F MILLVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO ARMSTRONG CORK COMP ANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

STOPPER.

Application filed November The present invention relates broadly to closures for bottles and jars, and more particularly to stoppers or corks for this purpose.

It has heretofore been proposed to con,- struct stoppers for this general purpose by providing a stopper top of fibrous material, such as wood, compressed both axially and radially, and then securing a cork thereto. It has been found that the custom of soaking corks, which custom is prevalent among many of the bottlers, permits the stopper top to expand to its original condition, thereby not only tending to release the cork, but also destroying the finish of the top and the embossing thereon.

By the present invention, there is provided an improved stopper having a metallic upper sheathing or top impervious to the action of water and capable of being embossed or otherwise ornamented as may be desired.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown, for purposes of illustration only, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it being understood that the drawings do not define the limits of my invention, as changes may obviously be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of my broader claims.

In the drawings 2- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through one form of stopper top constructed in accordance with the present invention before spinning in the lower edge of the metal sheathing;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the sheathing spun into position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a cork in position within the to Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating still another embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 4 and 5 illustrating a further embodiment of the invention.

In constructing a stopper of the character herein contemplated, there may be provided a metallic sheathing 2 of substantially cup shape, as indicated in Figure 1, and placed in position therein an an- 16, 1923. Serial N0. 675,087.

nulus 3 of any desired material. After the annulus is in position, the bottom edge 4 of the sheathing may be spun inwardly into the position illustrated in Figure 2, to complete the top.

I have found that very efficient results may be obtained by utilizing an annulus of fibrous material, such as cork, preferably compressed, or hard fibre having a nonuniform cross section from the outer portion thereof to the inner portion. In Figures 1, 2 and 3 this non-uniform cross section is illustrated as comprising 'a taper, whereby a recess or cavity 5 is provided between the annulus and the bottom of the metallic sheathing.

After the top has been completed, a cork 6 of usual structure may be moved axially through the annulus 3 into substantially the position indicated in Figure 3.

In order to hold the cork firmly in position it m ay be coated at its upper end with adhesive, "or" prior" t'o""its insertion, the top may have a suitable amount of an adhesive placed therein. By reason of the provision of recess 5, the adhesive film betweenthe upper end of the cork and the top is permitted to expand laterally and thereby form a firmer bond between the cork and the top, preventing loosening of the cork.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have illustrated slightly modified embodiments of the invention in which the metallic sheathing 2' has a metallic annulus 3 forced thereinto. The annulus 3' may be held in position purely by friction, or it may be secured within the sheathing 2 by soldering or by spinning in the lower edge of the sheathing, as indicated at 4' in Figure 5. It will be understood that the shape of the metallic annulus used in such cases will preferably be such as to provide a recess 5 similar to that heretofore referred to.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 6, the metallic sheathing 7 has a metallic annulus 8 associated therewith and held therein in a suitable manner, as by friction, soldering, or by spinning in the force tending to thereafter separate the sheathing from the cork causes the teeth to dig into the cork and prevent such separation.

It will be apparent that a metallic sheathing, in addition to being durable, is immune to the ordinary action of water and is capable of being easily embossed or ornamented as may be deemed desirable by the particular customer for whom the stoppers are made. Further advantages of the present invention arise from the simplicity of the construction and from the eflicient bonding action obtainable between the cork and the top. which bonding action is enhanced when the 'metal'lic sheathing is embossed, by reason of the adhesive between the upper end of the cork and the top cooperating with the'protuberances and i dentatlons produced in the metallic sheathin to btter resist tortional strains tending to destroy the adhesive bond between the top and cork. The form of the invention shown in Figure 6 is advantageous since it provides a positive interlocking action-between the annulus and cork preventing separation of the same and obviates the necessity for using an adhesive to hold the cork in place.

I claim 1. In a stopper, a top comprising'an annulus of non-uniform thickness throughout its width, a metallic sheathing cooperating with said annulus and providing a space extending laterally above the annulus, and a cork extending throu h the recess in said annulus and held in position therein.

2. In a stopper, a top comprising an annulus having an inwardly sloping upper face, a protective sheathing over the top and sides of the annulus, a tapered cement receiving space being provided between the sheathing and the sloping upper face of the annulus, and a cork extendin through the recess in said annulus and hel in position within said sheathing1 by cement-at the top of the cork and in t e tapered cement receiving space.

' 3. In a stopper, a top comprising a metallic sheathing, an annulus in position therein, said annulus being shaped to provide an adhesive receiving recess between the same and said sheathing, and a cork extending through the opening in said annulus, and adhesive between the cork and the sheathing and in said adhesive receiving recess forsecuring the cork in position.

4. In a stopper, a top comprising a metallic sheathing having a downwardly turned flange, an annulus in position therein and having at least a portion of its upper surface spaced from the inner wall of the sheathing to provide an adhesive receiving recess, the lowermost edge of the flange being constructed to maintain the annulus in position within the sheathing, a cork extending throu h the opening in said annulus, and an adhesive film between the upper end of said cork and said sheathing and extending into said recess.

5. In a stopper, a to comprising a metallic sheathing, an annu us in position therein and having at least a portion of its upper surface spaced from the inner wall of the sheathing to provide an adhesive receiving recess, a cork extending through the opening in said annulus, and an adhesive film between the upper end of said cork and said sheathing, said film extending laterally into said recess between the u per surface of said annulus and said sheat ing.

6. In a stopper, a top comprising a metallic sheathing having a continuous top portion, a metallic annulus held in position therein and having an inner edge provided with teeth directed toward the sheathing and completely covered thereby, the points of said teeth being freely spaced in all directions from said sheathing.

7. In a stopper, a top comprising a metallic annulus of U-shape in cross section and having its inner side sloping inwardly from bottom to to and provided at its upper edge with upwar ly directed teeth, a cork extending through the opening in said annulus and engaged by said teeth, and a sheathing completely covering the top of said cork and said teeth, the points of said teeth being freely spaced in all directions from said sheathing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HERMAN 'F. BUSCH. 

